Pennsylvanians will head to the polls on Nov. 5 to vote for president, U.S. Senate, and more. Here’s everything they need to know.
Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PA
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HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s 2024 general election is here.
Voters will head to the polls to cast their vote for president, U.S. House and Senate, Pennsylvania’s three statewide row offices (attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer), and state House and Senate.
Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Try asking Spotlight PA’s election assistant.
When is the 2024 general election in Pennsylvania?
Today! Nov. 5, 2024.
When do polls open for Pennsylvania’s 2024 general election?
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. As long as you are in line to vote by 8 p.m., you are entitled to cast a ballot.
Where do I vote?
You can find your polling location on the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Am I registered to vote?
You can check your voter registration online. Search using your name, county, ZIP code, and birthday, or by entering your driver’s license or PennDOT identification card number.
Can I vote if I forgot to register?
Unfortunately, Oct. 21 was the deadline to register to vote in this election.
Can I vote if my registration is inactive?
Yes! A voter is marked inactive if they have not voted for two consecutive federal election cycles and haven’t responded to a county notice about their registration.
If that’s your status, you can still vote on Nov. 5. You’ll just have to sign a form confirming your eligibility when you visit your polling place.
Can I vote if I moved but haven’t updated my registration?
If you moved within Pennsylvania less than 30 days before the election, you have to vote at the polling place for your old address. If you moved within the commonwealth more than 30 days ago but haven’t yet updated your registration, you can vote at the polling place for your old address for one election.
If you have specifically moved from one county to another, you must fill out a form at your polling place with your new address and county. This will allow officials to update your voter registration in both counties after the election. Once they do that, you will get a new voter registration card matching your new address.
Read more in the “If you move” section of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.
What do I need to bring to vote?
If this is your first time voting or your first time voting since changing addresses, you’ll need to bring proof of identification. This can include any government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or U.S. passport, a utility bill or bank statement that includes your name and address, or a military or student ID. See the full list of options here.
I voted by mail. How do I check my ballot has been received?
You can check the status of your mail ballot online.
I still have my mail ballot. How can I return it?
Your county must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Do not put your ballot in the mail since it will not arrive by the deadline.
Instead, drop it off at your county election office or at a satellite location or drop box, if your county offers those options. See a full list of ballot drop-off locations.
Follow all the instructions to make sure your ballot is counted.
I requested a mail ballot but haven’t gotten it. What should I do?
If you have not received your mail ballot, you can still vote in person at your polling location.
A poll worker will offer you a provisional ballot, which will be counted after election officials confirm you did not submit a mail ballot.
I have a mail ballot but don’t want to use it. How can I vote?
Bring all your mail ballot components, including the envelopes, to your polling place and turn them over to poll workers. You’ll be required to sign a form declaring that you haven’t voted by mail. After that, you should be allowed to vote at the precinct.
Read Spotlight PA’s complete coverage, including candidate and election guides, at our 2024 Election Center.
A complete listing of Spotlight PA voter guides and coverage:
- A complete guide to the candidates for attorney general
- A complete guide to the candidates for auditor general
- Your guide to the candidates for treasurer
- A complete guide to the candidates for U.S. Senate
- A guide to vetting legislative candidates
- Everything college students need to know about voting
- Everything you need to know about requesting, filling out, and returning your mail ballot
- Where Pa.’s attorney general candidates stand on defending elections, voter ID, and more
- How Pa.’s attorney general candidates plan to approach gun crimes and violence
- Where Pa.’s attorney general candidates stand on abortion access
- Where US Senate candidates Bob Casey and Dave McCormick stand on inflation, taxes, and more
- Where U.S. Senate candidates Bob Casey and Dave McCormick stand on abortion, child care, and more
En Español:
- Elecciones Pa. 2024: Una guía completa de los candidatos a fiscal general
- Elecciones Pa. 2024: Guía completa de los candidatos a auditor general
- Elecciones Pa. 2024: Su guía para los candidatos a tesorero
- Elecciones Pa. 2024: Guía completa de los candidatos al Senado de EE.UU.
- Elecciones Pa. 2024: Todo lo que necesita saber sobre cómo solicitar, llenar y devolver su papeleta de voto por correo
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